Isaac du Toit

The Story of Sarah McMurray by Isaac du Toit Publication date: February 2, 2024 ISBN: 978-0-473-70713-2 (Hardcover) Available from:  amazon.com In this biographical picture book, author and illustrator Isaac du Toit brings to life the story of his ancestor, Sarah McMurray née Silcock. Born in Nelson in 1848, in later life Sarah went on to become a skilled and prolific woodcarver and craftswoman. She died aged 95 in 1943. Sarah McMurray with some of her work, McMurray-Silcock family history folio, c.1848-1985, Series 1, McMurray, Robert and Sarah Ann, Ian Matheson City Archives, Palmerston North.

Just completed a walk from Wellington to Waikawa (over the last five days) following the journey that four Bevan children did in 1845 led by their guide Ropina. This took me through Wellington, Porirua, Kāpiti and finished in the Manawatū!

Watcher in the Forest (Oxford University Press 1987) Watcher in the Forest  by  Joanna Orwin  is, in my opinion, among the great New Zealand children's books, up there with  X Marks The Spot  by  Joan de Hamel  and  The World Around the Corner  by  Maurice Gee . This story has a time slip element, which for me evokes  The House in Norham Gardens  by  Penelope Lively , one of my favourite books. I really enjoyed the way the story, similarly to that book, deals with time as well as the connection between past and present. At no point did I fear for the characters' safety, but this did not diminish the book for me. Rather, I appreciate that the author gave the story time to breathe, allowing for a quiet, calm yet spooky atmosphere. This sort of story would not be written in the modern day. Nowadays, I've noticed that popular children's novels tend to be very fast-paced, full of lots of action and adventure. Less often do I see children's books that take things more slo

The new book that I have illustrated is out! The Fall of Icarus Published by Quirky Quail Press 2022  Wellington, New Zealand  ISBN: 978-0-473-64642-4 (Hardcover) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0473646420/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_thcv_p1_i0 The flight of Daedalus and Icarus is retold here by Paddy Rockell and Isaac du Toit. Even in the modern day, it helps us understand the importance of knowing our limits, but also our value. This new interpretation of this timeless story brings it to a new audience.

Published by Quirky Quail Press 2022  Wellington, New Zealand  ISBN: 978-0-473-61765-3 (Hardcover) The story of King Midas and his golden touch has been retold here for a new generation. In doing so, it has been shown to still have relevance and importance to us in the modern day; it tells us to be careful what we wish for. This retelling by Paddy Rockell and Isaac du Toit adds its own spin to this classic, timeless myth.

I’ve been trying to get a photo of a Red Admiral on Ongaonga for a while. Finally today I achieved my goal. Ongaonga can be deadly to humans but is the natural habitat of the Red Admiral.

Yesterday I had a great time exploring an amazing limestone cave!